“Exactly how God combines His providential control with our willing and significant choices, Scripture does not explain to us. But rather than deny one aspect or the other (simply because we cannot explain how both can be true), we should accept both in an attempt to be faithful the teaching of all Scripture.” – Wayne Grudem
This is my position, which doesn’t seem popular among staunch Calvinist or Armenians. It’s both and, not either or.
When Bill Bright (founder of Campus Crusade for Christ) was dying of lung diseases, he would often have periods of agonizing physical pain. With each wave of pain he would say aloud, “I praise you Jesus, Thank You Jesus”. And it was through this gratitude that God brought him into a closer walk with himself as he prepared to ultimately take him to be in his presence eternally.
May we praise him in our trials, for that is what turns the trials into blessings.
If anyone could tell you the shortest way to happiness and wholeness, he would tell you to thank and praise God for everything that happens to you. For it is by this thankful spirit that we turn everything into a blessing. – William Law
I met Ethan Pope back in 1996 when JJ and I began attending Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg. Ethan has a heart for God, a heart for people, and a heart for managing money the way God instructs us to in the scriptures. By reading a few of his books, and spending time with him in his office, he helped put me on the way to making some wise financial decisions – namely, not to to live beyond my means.
A few years ago, Ethan relocated back to Dallas and now he as released a book entitled America’s Financial Demise. In short, the same is true for our government that is true for us. We cannot spend more money than we take in. If Ethan’s research is on target, and I believe that it is, we are on an “unsustainable” coarse financially and sooner than later, America’s financial system will crash. If this is true, and again I believe that it is, what we going to do about it?
Take time to order the book, and listen to Ethan’s talk from January. Then prayerfully consider what you should do in response to this timely message.
America’s Financial Demise from Master’s Men on Vimeo.
After almost 12 and a half years we said goodbye to our faithful friend and family member Jake last week. I gave Jake to JJ as a Valentine’s Day gift back in 1999. For most of his life he was very playful and hyper. He enjoyed catching frisbees or balls and then chewing them into little bitty pieces. In the last few years he developed a skin disease and became infected with heart-worms.
Thanks to Dr. Johnny Mayfield for walking our family through the last few days. Last Monday I went in to say goodbye before “Doc” put him down. I came back later and picked him up in a special box and brought him home to explain to the kids what had happened. The kids had a good Idea that it was coming, because we had been discussing and praying about in for several months. Each kid responded differently, but they all dealt with it in their own way. TJ and I took the box Jake was in and with the help of a generous friend buried our loyal friend.
I want to close by posting the lyrics of the song that gave Jake his name. I’m gonna miss you buddy.
“Feed Jake” by Pirates of the Mississippi
I’m standing at the crossroads in life, and I don’t know where to go.
You know you’ve got my heart babe, but my music’s got my soul.
Let me play it one more time, I’ll tell the truth and make it rhyme,
And hope they understand me.
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I die before I wake, feed Jake, he’s been a good dog,
My best friend right through it all, if I die before I wake,
Feed Jake
A friend recently let me borrow book “In Search of Balance” by Richard A. Swenson. Dr. Swenson,who is a M.D. and a Christian, brings his perspective and research to bear on our current pace of life in our western culture. In short, the pace at which many of us are living is “unsustainable”. This word seems to be coming up a lot lately in relationship to the economy, relationships, and health. To gain insight into our lives we need to ask ourselves (family and friends), “Are we living life at a pace which we will be able to maintain?” Wisdom tells us to look ahead at where we are going, not simply where we are currently. The message of the book is; life is short and we need to make efforts to rest /Sabbath from the demands of our daily life. I’ve found personally when I feel like I “MUST” keep going, it’s a signal for me that I need to STOP. We are not God; therefore he has created us to need rest. To me this is a matter of humility; so let’s humble ourselves and rest.
I just returned from Alabama where I spent 3 days working storm duty for Southern LINC. So much of what I saw reminded me of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina with downed trees. Obviously the most catastrophic damage was the remains that were in the path of the monster tornadoes that came through.
The video below is THE MOST amazing video I’ve ever seen of a major tornado up close. I believe this video was shot out in front of University Mall just off of McFarland Bulvd. It seems that we have devalued the word “awesome” by overusing using it, but this is the true definition of “Awesome” – to install awe (fear).
When he can finally speak, listen to what the camera man says. For once I don’t think the phrase “Oh My God” (OMG) is misused!
I just finished reading the King’s Cross by Tim Keller; WOW! Every year around Easter I try to read a book about Jesus and the cross. I picked a good one this time. Keller has the ability to link happenings in the Old Testament to things in the New Testament in ways that I have not seen before. This book has been feeding me the scripture by walking me through the Gospel account of Mark. With great illustrations and exposition Dr. Keller moves through the book drawing you into the story of Jesus; His kingship as well as His passion and death. The book was Theological sound for the most part. (The only question I had was about Keller’s use of words “eternal disintegration” (p.205) as an illustration. I wasn’t sure if he was advocating annihilation for the lost as opposed to eternal suffering (in hell)). With that said it was a great read and I recommend it to those who want a fresh view Christ as He was and as He IS!
When Jesus was crucified the people in the city of Jerusalem were busy. There were things to buy, places to go, and things to do. With all the rush many missed “seeing” the Savior of the World as he was executed for their sins. Don’t let all that you “need” to do, keep you from missing the one thing we really must do – Namely focus on JESUS. In all of our business let us remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us. That in him all of our sin was placed and “He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
For a better view visit www.theconversationprism.com
Take a look at all the “noise” that’s coming at us these days! Is there any wonder we can’t focus. Thanks to Cat for the isnsight. Check out his blog at http://reddirtgrit.com/
